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2018-01-29

answer › answering member printed

Alistair Burt

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To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations
his Department has made to the Government of Bahrain on Nabeel Rajab’s unsuccessful
appeal against a two-year prison sentence for speaking to journalists.

​We continue to closely monitor the case of Nabeel Rajab and have raised it with the
Bahraini Government at the highest levels. The British Government continues to emphasise
to the Government of Bahrain the need to respect the rights of all citizens, including
freedom of expression.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment
he has made of the level of religious freedom in the Palestinian Territories; and
what steps the Government is taking to promote and protect the right to freedom of
religion or belief in that country.

While we have not made a recent assessment of this issue, freedom of religion and
belief remains a human rights priority for this Government. It is a fundamental freedom
which underpins many other human rights. Our Consulate General in Jerusalem regularly
meets a variety of religious leaders in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and
has stressed to the Palestinian Authority the importance of protecting freedom of
religion and belief.

We regularly raise our concerns about the rights to freedom of expression, association
and assembly with the Egyptian authorities; these rights are essential to improving
the protection of Freedom of Religion or Belief in Egypt. The Egyptian constitution
contains protections for Freedom of Religious Belief and it is important that these
rights are respected. In particular, we welcome President Sisi's consistent calls
for peaceful coexistence between Christians and Muslims in Egypt. The UK has also
been working with al-Azhar University in Egypt for over ten years to help develop
a new generation of religious leaders who can build dialogue across different cultures
and religions, and confront extremism. The work includes English teaching, debating
skills training and a postgraduate scholarship scheme.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions
he has had with his counterparts in Saudi Arabia on the location of and inspection
system for the 17 safe-passage corridors from six points of entry announced on 22
January 2018.

We continue to engage with the Saudi-led Coalition on its Yemen Comprehensive Humanitarian
Operations Plan (YCHOP). Improving humanitarian access to all of Yemen is key to alleviating
the crisis. Continued access for commercial supplies including food and fuel through
the ports of Hodeidah and Saleef is critical to ensuring that the Yemeni people get
the supplies they so desperately need. The Coalition has publicly stated that corridor
originating points will include Al Khadara, Al Tuwal, Hodeidah, Mokha, Aden and Marib.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how much Professor Patricia Hart was paid
in total as Chief Executive of South Tees Hospital NHS Foundation Trust; and how many
days in total she worked in that post.

These are matters for the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. We have written
to Deborah Jenkins, Chair of South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, informing
her of the hon. Member’s enquiry. She will reply shortly and a copy of the letter
will be placed in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make
representations to the Government of Iran on the appeal by Pastor Yousef Nadarkhani
against his 10-year prison sentence and two years in exile.

The human rights situation in Iran, including the harassment and persecution of Christians,
is of serious concern. The Foreign Secretary raised human rights concerns with the
Iranian Government as a notable element of his visit to Iran on 9-10 December. I did
likewise during my visit on 5 August.

The human rights situation in Iran, including the harassment and persecution of Christians,
is of serious concern. The Foreign Secretary raised human rights concerns with the
Iranian Government as a notable element of his visit to Iran on 9-10 December. I did
likewise during my visit on 5 August.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate
he has made of the number of Christians and other religious minorities prosecuted
for religious beliefs and activities in Iran since May 2017.

The human rights situation in Iran, including harassment and persecution of Christians,
is of serious concern. Accurate figures on persecution of Christians are difficult
to obtain but non-govermental organisations estimate that at least 21 Christians have
been given long prison sentences in Iran since May 2017 for practice of their beliefs.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he
is taking to encourage the Government of Iran to reform its legal system to tackle
the problem of people being charged with offences that are far more serious than their
actions.

The human rights situation in Iran is of serious concern. The Foreign Secretary raised
our human rights concerns with the Iranian Government during his visit to Iran on
9-10 December, as did I during my visit on 5 August.

The UK fully supports the UN Action Plan for Libya set out at the UN General Assembly
by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ghassan Salamé, and endorsed
in the Security Council's Presidential Statement of 14 December 2017. The Action Plan
envisages negotiations on limited amendments to the Libya Political Agreement, a National
Conference, preparations for elections and the provision of humanitarian assistance
where it is needed in Libya. The UK supports the Special Representative's emphasis
on the importance of ensuring that elections, when they happen, are preceded by the
necessary political, legislative and security preparations.